Drop end gondola car



Oct. 11, 1949. o. INGRAM DROP END GONDOLA CAR Filed June 28, 1945 7 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 11, 1949. o. INGRAM DROP END GONDOLA CAR 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 28, 1945 Oct. 11, 1949. o. INGRAM DROP END GONDOLA CAR 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 28, 1945 Oct. 11, 1949. o. INGRAM DROP END GONDQLA CAR 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 28, 1945 Oct. 11, 1949. -o. INGRAM DROP END GONDOLA CAR Filed June 28, 1945 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 0. INGRAM DROP END GONDOLA CAR Filed June 28, 1945 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Oct. 11, 1949. o, INGRAM 2,484,512

DROP END GONDOLA CAR Filed June 28, 1945 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 lgzgj7.

m d 4 I /Ij/ 1 77 6,7

' Q Q Q Q i \4 6i Z Jrwqm/Lo'v M fla wum Patented Oct. 11, 1949 DROP END GONDOLA CAR Orville Ingram, Washington, D. C.

Application June 28, 1945, Serial No. 602,025

32 Claims.

My invention relates to railway cars and more particularly to railway gondola cars having drop end doors which, as is customary, are adapted to be selectively disposed in closed upright position or in open substantially horizontal position overlapping the car floor.

These doors, which are sometimes referred to as end gates, weigh on the average approximately 850 pounds apiece, the exact weight of each door depending, of course, upon the size and design of the door itself. Considerable difficulty is, therefore, most always experienced in moving the door upwardly about its pivot from open horizontal position into closed vertical position. Two or more workmen areusually required to accomplish it or else some mechanical means such, for example, as a crane, which is not always available, must be employed.

The principal object of the invention is, therefore, to provide each drop end gondola car with means associated with the ends or gates thereof to enable them to be easily and readily moved from open to closed position.

Another object of the invention is to provide means enabling the end doors to be closed by a single workman.

A primary feature of the invention consists in providing a railway gondola car with a device disposed beneath the floor thereof having means movable in response to an opening movement of the door to which force is adapted to be applied tending to return the door to closed position.

Another feature of the invention consists in providing the drop end door of a railway car with means movable therewith and extending to a point below the floor cooperable with a device located beneath the floor during opening movement of the door adapted to apply force to said means tending to move the door in a closing direction.

A further feature of theinvention consists in providing a drop end door gondola car with a spring device mounted beneath the floor thereof and operable by means attached to the door during an opening movement thereof for energizing the spring to provide a force tending to return the door to closed position.

A still further feature of the invention consists in providing a railway gondola car with a spring device located beneath the floor and fixed with respect to the car underframe and with means attached to and movable with the door extending to a, point below the floor for energizing the spring device during an opening movement thereof to provide a force tending to return the door to closed position. v

Still another feature of the invention consists in providing the drop end door of a railway car with means attached to and movabletherewith and extending downwardly to a point beneath the car floor and in further providing a compression spring located beneath the car floor cooperable with an abutment secured to the underframe, the means on the door being operatively connected with the spring for compressing the spring against the abutment during an opening movement of the door so as to provide a force tending to return the door to closed position.

Other and more specific features of the invention, residing in advantageous forms, combinations and relation of parts, will hereinafter appear and be pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings,

Figure l is a vertical transverse sectional view of a drop end door gondola car, the view looking toward the inside of the door.

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1, the door being in closed position.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken beneath the car floor showing the spring and adjacent parts in elevation.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view corresponding to Figure 2 showing the door in open horizontal position.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional View taken on a line corresponding to line 55 of Figure 2, omitting the door and hinge elements.

Figure 6 is a detail side elevational view of the upper portion of the arm secured to the door.

Figure 7 is a front elevational view of the upper portion of the door arm.

Figure 8 is a side elevational view abutment.

Figure 9 is a face view of the abutment.

Figure 10 is a vertical transverse sectional view of the lower portion of a drop end door gondola car embodying a modified form of the invention.

Figure 11 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken longitudinally of the car on line |II| of Figure 10, the door being in closed position.

Figure 12 is a View similar to Figure l 1 showing the door in open position.

Figure 13 is a fragmentary sectional view longitudinally of the car showing the adjusting link in an adjusted position.

Figure 14 is a fragmentary vertical transverse sectional view of the car center sill and adjacent elements, the view being taken on line l t-44 of Figure 12.

Figure 15 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken longitudinally of a drop end door gondola car adjacent an end thereof embodyingstill another form of the invention, the door being shown in closed position.

Figure 16 is a vertical sectional view taken at right angles to Figure 15 looking at the inside of the door.

Figure 17 is a view similar to Figure 15 showing the door in open position.

of the spring Figure 18 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line l8-l8 of Figure 16.

Figure 19 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line i9l9 of Figure 16.

Referring more particularly to the drawings and especially to Figures 1 to 9, inclusive, illustrating one form of the invention, I indicates the drop end door of a railway gondola car having sides 2, a floor 3 and an underframe 4, all of any usual or preferred construction,

In this particular embodiment of the invention, the underframe is illustrated as having a center sill and side sill members including side sills 6 and floor supporting angles 1. The floor is composed of transversely extending wood planks supported at their ends on the horizontal flanges of the floor supporting angles 1. The side walls of the car may conveniently comprise side sheets 3 which, together with side stakes, are rigidly secured at their lower portions to the side sill members 6 and l and at their upper portions to a top rail .9 in the form of a bulb angle.

At their ends, each side wall is provided, as usual, with a corner post In having a portion il affording an abutment or stop for the end door. At their upper corners the doors are provided with suitable mechanisms l2 for cooperating with means carried by adjacent portions of the side walls for holding or locking them in closed upright position.

The lower corner of each door is provided with a casting or bracket [3 of suitable construct-ion affording a laterally projecting hinge pintle M which cooperates with a bracket l5 secured to the inside .of the adjacent side wall whereby the door is pivotally mounted to swing about an axis adjacent its lower edge. A transversely extending plate-like member I6 is rigidly secured to the bottom flange ll of the door and engages the car floor to support the door intermediate the pintles, the inner end of the member being curved, as usual, around an axis substantially concentric with the axis of the pintles to permit the door to easily move from one position of closure to the other. The pintle castings [3 may be conveniently secured to the lower flange l! of the door as well as to side flanges I9 thereof and to the body of the door itself. The upper edge of the door is provided, as customary, with a reinforcing angle member 20 adapted to engage the floor of the car when the door is swung inwardly into open substantially horizontal position.

Rigid with the door and extending inwardly therefrom adjacent opposite sides thereof are a pair of arcuate arms 2| which extend downwardly through openings in the floor to a point beneath it. The upper end of the arm is formed with a flanged head 22 whereby it may be conveniently secured to the inner face of the door and, since it is desired to position the arms as closely as possible to the sides of the car where they will not interfere with the placing of lading within the car and will not be struck by mechanism which might be employed to unload the car, the head may be designed so as to overlap the adjacent pintle casting and receive at least one of the securing rivets thereof.

The lower end of each of the arm 2! is connected to a spring device located below the floor so that, when the door is moved from closed to open position, the spring will be energized and thus provide a force which will tend to return the door to closed position.

In the present embodiment of the invention, each spring device is mounted adjacent the adjoining side wall and includes a coil or helical spring 23, an abutment 24 engageable with one end of the spring, a cap 25 engageable with the other end of the spring, and a rod or the like 26 engageable with the cap for transmitting a force thereto tending to compress the spring against the abutment. The abutment is preferably secured to a side sill of the car and for this purpose it may be conveniently formed with flanges 21 which may be easily riveted to the sill. A recess Z8 is preferably formed in the body portion of the abutment to receive the adjacent end of the coacting spring and an aperture 29 may be formed in the abutment concentric with the recess through which the rod'26 extends.

The .cap 2.5 may be of conventional design, being nothing more than a circular disk having a recess in the spring engaging face to receive the spring and a concentric opening through which the rod 26 extends. The end of the rod adjacent the cap is preferably screw threaded to receive a nut 3d whereby the position of the cap on the rod may be readily adjusted and the cap retained on the rod.

The opposite end of rod 26 may be squared as shown and connected to the lower end of the adjacent arcuate arm 21 by a link 31 which con ven-iently consists of two laterally spaced bars rigidly connected at their central portions with an intervening spacing block 32. The link is pivotally connected by a bolt or the like .33 to the square end of rod 26 and is pivotally connected to the lower end of the arcuate arm 21 by a bolt or the like 34.

The opening in the car ,floor through which the arm 24 extends is preferably formed by a two part metal member 35 positioned within an aperture in the wood floor. Each part of this member has a base flange .36 whereby it may be readily secured by screws .or other convenient means to the floor and the opening which it defines is of substantially rectangular shape in cross section, but the walls bounding the opening diverge downwardly so as to cooperate with a similarly formed plug-like portion 3'! on the arcuate arm. The opening in the floor for the arm is, therefore, tightly sealed when the door is in upright closed position, as shown in Figure 2. By making the member 35 in two parts, it will be perceived that it may be readily assembled with adjacent parts.

The lower end of the arcuate arm which is connected to the link 3| is movable in a path concentric with the pivotal axis of the door and it is so positioned with respect thereto that, when the door is moved into substantially horizontal open position, it is caused to move beyond the vertical plane passing through that axis. As soon as the door has been lifted slightly from the floor, the spring, however, then functions to tend to cause the door to continue to move toward closed position. It has been found to be suflicient to use springs which are energized to exert a closing force on the door somewhat less than is actually required to produce such movement but, of course, it will be appreciated that heavier springs may be employed, if desired, so as to completely counterbalance the door. A spring which exerts a closing force on the door of only about fifty pounds or so less than is required to move the door from open to closed position is adequate to enable it to be operated by a single workman.

That form of the invention illustrated in Figures 10 to 14, inclusive, is applied to a railway gondola car having the same structural features as the car illustrated in the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 9, inclusive, and corresponding features of car construction are, therefore, designated by similar reference numerals.

Each drop end door l in this embodiment is provided with a pair of means 38 connected to the outside of the lower portion thereof, each of which may advantageously consist of a rigid arm 39 riveted at its upper end to the outer face of the door and extending downwardly outside of the car body through an opening in the end sill 40 to a point beneath the floor. The rigid arms of each door terminate in inwardly extending portions 4| underlying the car floor arranged on opposite sides of the center sill 5 as appears from Figure 10. Each arm 39 is connected to a spring device which is energized upon opening movement of the door to provide a force which tends to return the door to closed position.

These spring devices which are positioned on opposite sides of the center sill, each includes a spring 42, an abutment 43 cooperable with one end of the spring and a housing 44 cooperable with the opposite end thereof. The housing 44 which is open at its inner side and has flanges whereby it may be easily attached to the center sill is formed with top and bottom walls 45 and 46 respectively connected by a curved outer wall 41 and a rear wall 48 formed with a slot 49. A spring cap 50 is disposed within the recess and has a rearwardly extending portion or boss 5| prorelation to the boss which will not move into engagement with the spring cap to actuate the spring until after the door has been swung toward open position a predetermined amount.

The lower end of each rigid arm 39 and the adjacent end of the spring rod 52 are operatively connected by means consisting of a pivotally connected link 55 and an adjusting plate 54. The link is pivotally connected to the arm 39 by a pin or the like 56 and the adjusting plate 54 is pivotally connected to the spring rod 52 by a pin 57. It is thus apparent that, when the door is moved from closed position as shown in Figure 11 to open position as shown in Figure 12, the spring rod 52 is caused to actuate the spring and thereby energize it to provide a force tending to return the door to closed position.

The nut 53 may be so positioned on the spring rod that, when the door is moved from closed to open position, it will not engage the spring cap until after the door has moved for about onethird of its entire distance. Thereafter continued movement of the spring rod will result in compressing the spring. By having the spring act upon reverse movement of the door for only about the first two-thirds of that movement a spring of greater capacity can be used than would be possible in the case where the spring operates during the entire closing movement and the force which is necessary to close the door for the remaining one-third distance may be easily exerted by a single workman.

In cases where the nut 53 cannot be adjusted to effect its engagement with the spring cap at the desired time the adjusting plate 54 can easily and quickly be employed to efiect this result. The plate is formed with a series of apertures 58 disposed in a path eccentric with respect to the opening which receives the pin 51 forconnecting it to the spring rod. Thus the distance between the inner end of the arm 39 on the door and the adjacent end of the spring rod 52 may be varied by rotating the plate with respect to the rod, as is indicated in Figure 13, so as to enable the plate 54 and link 55 to be connected in different positions of adjustment.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figures 15 to 19, inclusive, the drop end door 59 is provided with members 60 which are movably connected to it and extend downwardly through openings in the car floor for energizing springs iii which are supported in substantially upright positions beneath the floor. a

The castings 52 which are positioned at the lower corners of the door and have laterally projecting pintles 53, have marginal flanges 64 and 35 respectively which are rigidly secured to side and bottom marginal flanges 66 and 61 respectively of the door.

Each casting has pivotally connectedto it by a pin or bolt 68 which extends through an opening in the side flange of the casting and through.

an opening in an inwardly spaced lug 69, a rigid member 50 which has a plate-like upper portion 15 disposed within a slot H in the. car floor l2 closely adjacent the car side, the adjoining.

wardly extending arms 75 terminating inportions respectively secured to the car side sill 15 and the end sill Il Disposed within the spring and extending downwardly through an opening in the lower portion of the U-shaped bracket M is a rod-like member 18 which may advantageously be formed as an integral part of member 60, a shoulder 19 being provided at the juncture of the parts 10 and T8 for engaging the upper end of the spring.

It will thus be seen that, when the door moves from the upright closed position illustrated in Figure 15 to the substantially horizontal open position of Figure 17, the springs 6| for each door are compressed by downward movement of the,

members Bil. Accordingly the springs are energized and afford a force tending to return the door to closed position.

In the two preceding forms of the invention, the parts are so arranged that the forces which the springs exert on the door tending to move it from open to closed position act, generally, in a direction forcing the lower portion of the door downwardly so that the hinge pintles will be maintained in cooperative relation with the brackets on the car sides which receive them. In the present embodiment, however, the spring when compressed, as in Figure 17, tends to move the lower edge of the door upwardly and thus cause the pintles to disengage the brackets on the car side. To eliminate this difliculty, the brackets 88 on the car side for .receiving the pintles are each formed with recessed portions 8| which project inwardly from .the base plate 82 of the casting by which it is secured to the adjacent car side. The recessed portion is advantageously of substantially U-shape having spaced walls or legs 83 connected at their lower ends by a semi-cylindrical portion 84. This semi-cylindrical portion provides a bearing for the adjacent 7. pintleof the:door:and the1walls'83 inclineoup- Wardly. therefrom; in. a: direction away from the. vertical planeof the adjacent car end.

With recesses of this character, the hinge pintlesmay be easily associated with .the bracketsandsuitable means which. is readily accessible may be conveniently employed for looking or. holding; the pintles within the recesses. This means may comprisea blocker the like 85 which is positioned between the inclined walls. of: each. recess: and it is preferably formed at its vlower edge with a cylindrical portionoi substantially thesaine diameter as the diameter of the.cooperating pintle. ihe block may be conveniently secured to the bracket by a .bolt 86 which extends. throughregistering apertures in the bracket walls and the block, the head 8'! of the bolt engaging the outer face of onebracket walland a nut 88 threaded on the opposite end of the bolt engaging the outer face of the other bracket wall,. and:

both head and nut being easily accessible. Thus it willbe seenthat efiective means is provided for restraining upward movement of the hinge.

pintles. oi the door within the hinge brackets.

Drop end doorv gondola cars having the specific structural. features here illustrated have been chosen merely for the purpose of illustrating the invention andit will be readily apparent to those skilledin the art that the invention is equally. well suitable to other gondola cars possessing different structural features. Moreover, changes and modifications may be made in detail parts of the illustrated forms of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as. defined in the appended claims.

What Lclaim is:

1. In a.railway gondola car having anunderframeand a floor supported thereby, the combination with a pivoted drop end door adapted. to be selectively disposed in closed upright position or in open substantially horizontal position overlapping the iioor, oi rigid means attached to and movable with the door and having a portion disposed below the level of the floor, andspring mechanism beneath the floor for applying to said rigid means when the door is moved inwardly. of

the car toward open position a force tending to return the door to. closed position, said mechanism-including a member connected to said rigid means and movable thereby in response to an opening movement of the door so astobe operable to transmit a door closing force thereto.

2. In a railway gondola car having anunderframe and a'fioor supported thereby, thermombination with a pivoted drop end. door adapted .to r be selectively disposed in closed uprightiposition or in open substantiallyzhorizontal positionoverlapping the floor, of spring means located; bee neath the floor iniixed relation to the under.-

i'rame, a member. attached to andmovable: withthe door and having a.portion.disposedzbelowthe. level of the floor, and means operatively corn necting said member and. spring means for energizing said spring. means during movement of. the door inwardly of thecar toward-open position to provide a'iorcetending to return.the door to. closedposition.

Ina railway gondola car having anunderframe and a floorssupported thereby, the con1+ bination with a pivoted drop end dooradapted'to be selectively disposed in closed upright position. or in open substantially horizontal position over lapping the floor, of spring means located beneath the floor and Y attached to the underframeof the car, an abutment for the spring meansfixed with respect:to theunderirame, a' member attached to and movable with the door: extending below the level of thefloor; and means operatively connecting said'spring: means and said memberfor compressing the spring means against said abutment duringmovement of the door inwardly oi the car toward open position whereby the spring means is-energ-izedto-provide a force tending to return-the door to closed position.

0. 4. Ina railway gondola car having an underframe and a floor supported thereby, the com-- binationwithapivoted drop end door adapted to be'selectively disposed inclosed upright positionor in open substantially horizontal position overlapping the floor, of a compression spring located'beneath theiloor in fixed relation to the underframe, and means-attached to and movable with the door having a portion disposed beneath the floor, said means including a part cooperable with said spring for compressing it during movement of the door inwardly oi the car-to open position-so that it is caused to provide a'force tending to return the door to closed position.-

5} In a railway gondola car having an underirameancl a door supported thereby, the combination with a pivoted drop end door adapted to lee-selectively disposed in closed upright position or in open substantially horizontal position overlapping the floor, of a member attached to the door and extending downwardly therefrom to a point beneath the floor, a helical spring located beneath the floor adjacent an end of the car and fixed with respect to the underframe, and

meansoperatively connecting said memberto the spring for compressing the spring during movement of the-door inwardly of the car toward open position whereby the spring is energized to pro vide force tending to return the door to closed position;

6. In a railway gondola car having an underframeand a-iloor supported thereby, the combinationwitha pivoted'drop end door adapted to be selectively disposed in-closedupright position or in open substantially horizontal position overlappingxthefloor, ofa member connected to and movable with the-door and extending from adjacentthe inner face thereof through opening-in the floor toa point beneath the floor, spring 5 -means' located beneath the floor in fixed relation to the underrrarne, and means operatively connectingsaid memberand spring means for energizing'the spring means during an opening movement of the door to cause it to provide a force- .tendin to return the door to closed position.

7. In a railway goneolacar having an underframeranda floor supported thereby, the combination'with a pivoted drop end door adapted to be selectivelydisposed in closed upright position or main open substantially horizontal position overlapping the floor, of means connected to the door including. a rigid member disposed'within the car body and extending through an opening in the floor, aspring device disposed beneath the floor rigid with respect to the underframe, and means pivotallyconnected to the lcwerend of said memberrfor: actuatingsaidspring device during an opening movement or the. door whereby said spring device is energized to provide a force tend-v ing to return the door to closed position.

8. Ina. railway gondola car having an under frame consisting of side sillandcenter sill membersandprovided with a floor supported by the.

underframe, the combination with a pivoted drop 7'5 end door adapted to be selectively disposedin i closed unright position or in open substantially horizontal position overlapping the floor, of members attached to the door adjacent the side edges thereof, said members being movable with the door and respectively having portions disposed beneath the floor when the door is in upright closed position, helical springs below the floor respectively disposed adjacent the side sills, the axis of each of said springs being substantially parallel with a vertical plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the car, and means operatively connecting each of said members with the adjacent spring whereby the springs are energized during an opening movement of the door to provide a force tending to return the door to closed position.

9. In a railway gondola car having an underframe and a floor supported thereby, the combination with a pivoted drop end door adapted to be selectively disposed in closed upright position or in open substantially horizontal position overlapping the fioor, of a member rigidly attached to the door and having a portion extending downwardly to a point below the level of the car floor when the door is in closed upright position, a spring device located beneath the floor and rigid with respect to the underframe, and means pivotally connecting said member and the spring device for actuating the latter during movement of the door to open position whereby the spring device is energized to provide a force tending to return the door to closed position.

10. In a railway gondola car having an underframe and a floor supported thereby, the combination with a pivoted drop end door adapted to be selectively disposed in closed upright position or in open substantially horizontal position overlapping the floor, of a member attached to and movable with the door and having a portion disposed below the level of the floor when the door is end door adapted to be selectively disposed in closed upright position or in open substantially horizontal position overlapping the floor, of a member attached to and movable with the door and having a portion disposed below the level of the floor, a helical spring beneath the floor anchored to one of the sill members of said underframe and extending lengthwise thereof, and means operatively connecting said member and spring for energizing the spring during opening movement of the door to provide a force tending to return the door to closed position.

12. In a railway gondola car having an underframe and a floor supported thereby, the combination with a pivoted drop end door adapted to be selectively disposed in closed upright position or in open substantially horizontal position overlapping the floor, of an arcuate member rigidly attached to the inner face of the door and extending through an opening in the car floor to a point beneath the floor, spring means located beneath the floor and fixed with respect to the underframe, and means movably connecting the lower 10 n end of said arcuate member with said spring means so that when the door is moved to open position the spring means will be energized to provide a force tending to return the door to closed position. I

13. In a railway gondola car having an underlframe consisting of side sill and center sill members and provided with a floor supported by the underframe, the combination with a pivoted drop end door adapted to be selectively disposed in closed upright position or in open substantially horizontal position overlapping the floor, of a member attached to and movable with the door and having a portion disposed beneath the level of the floor adjacent the sides of th car, spring means located beneath the floor and carried by a side sill of the underframe, and means operatively connecting said member and spring means for energizing said spring means during an opening movement of the door to provide a force tending to return the door to closed position.

14. In a railway gondola car having an underframe and a floor supported thereby, the combination with a pivoteddrop end door adapted to be selectively disposed in closed upright position or in open substantially horizontal position overlapping the fioor, of an arcuate arm rigidly attached to the inner face of the door and extending therefrom through an opening in the floor to a point beneath the floor, said arm having a portion provided with downwardly diverging sur faces engageable with the portions of the floor bounding the said openingwhen the door is in closed position, spring'means beneath the floor and fixed with respect to the underframe, and means connected to the lower end of said arm and to said spring'me'ans sothat when thedoor is moved to open position'the spring is energized to provide a force tending to return the door to closed position.

15; In a railway gondola oar having an underframe consisting of side sill and center sill members and provided with a floor supported by the underframe, the combination with a pivoted drop end door adapted to be selectively disposed in closed upright position or in open substantially horizontal position overlapping the floor, of a member attached to and movable with the door and having a portion disposed below the level of the floor, spring means located beneath the floor and carried by the center sill of the underframe, and means operatively connecting said member and spring means for energizing said spring means during an opening movement of the door to provide a force tending to return the door to closed position.

16.-In a railway gondola car having an underframe and a floor supported thereby, the combination with a pivoted drop end door adapted to be selectively disposed in closed upright position or. in opensubstantially horizontal position overlapping the floor, of a member connected to the door and located outside of the car body, said member being movable with the door and having I a portion disposed below the level of the floor,

spring means beneath the floor and fixed with respect to the underframe, and means operatively connecting said portion and said spring means so that when the door is moved toward open position the spring means is energized to provide a force tending to return it to closed position.

17. In a railway gondola car having an underframe consisting of side sill and center sill members and provided with a floor supported by the 7 underframe, the combination with a pivoted drop end door adapted .to be selectively :disposed in closed upright ,position 01min -open substantially horizontalposition .overlappingvthe :floor, of a pair of .memberstmovable withthe-door located outside of the car body and having portions disnosed beneath the floor, afpiair ofispringidevices mounted on opposite sidesiof thecentersilL-and means respectivelyconnecting each; of saidmembers with an adjoining spring device .so ,that said spring devices are energized during an .opening irnovement of .the door to provide :aiorce :tending :to return the door to iclosed position.

13. In a railwaygondolamar having'anzunderframe consisting of side isilliand center sill. members and provided avith iaifloorrsupported by ithe underframe, the combinationiwith arpivoted .drop end door adapted to be :selectively disposed in closed upright position :01 in open rsubstantially horizontal position overlapping :the floor, :of .:a pair of members rigid=with'the;dnor andzmovable therewith, each of sai'dnnembersvbeingidisposed on :the outside of the demand :having its lower portion located ibeneathethafioor a pair of Sp means respectively :mounted on (opposite sides :of the 1 center sill; and :operabletbyssaidr members :dur- 1 v n opening:movementiofztheneor so that. said means are energized to provide za iforce tending to return the :door to closed iposition.

19. In ;a;railway z-gondola :car i-having'ian :underframe and a 0.01 supported ntlrereby, :the :combination with a pivoted :drop and door adapted to 'be selectively disposed inrlosed eupright position-or in onen'substantia'lly horizontal position overlapping the fioor, -:of ianzigid :mem berzsecured to theouter faceoftherdoornndextending.downwardly therefrom outside of cthe .car [body :and terminating in a portion underlying :the ifloor, aspringdevice located-beneath :the door and fixed with respect to'theunderfirame, and :means pivotally connecting the lower end ofusaii'drmember andsaidtspringrdevice so'zthatitheaspring device is energized during opening imovement 50f ithe -:door to provide a force 'rtending L110 "return t'he door ':to closed position.

20. In a vrailway:gondola carihaving. an underframeconsistingof .sideLsiIliimd centerisill members and. provided with 1 a #11001 i supported by the underframe, the combination with a pivoted drop end .door adaptedto "be selectively disposed in closed upright position or in .open substantially horizontal position overlapping "the floor, of 'a membei connected to 1 the door adjacent the centerof the-car and=movable therewith in response to movement thereof, said-member having aportion disposed beneaththefloon a helical springbeneath the floor carried by said center-sill and-having its axis extending substantially longitudinally thereof, and -means operatively' connecting said portion of the membersand said spring so that when the-door ismove'dtoopen positionthe spring is energized to provide a force tending .to -return the door 'to closed ,position.

21. In a railway gondola .car having an underframe and a floor supported thereby, the ,combination with a pivoted Ldrop end dooradapted to be selectively disposed in .c'losed upright position or inopen substantially .horizontal position overlapping the floor, of.me.ans connected .to the door and extending to a point belo .the level of the floona helical spring beneath the .floor, an abutment .foroneend ofitheispringcarried byithe underframe, a housing .for the opposite end of thesprin icarried by-the underf-rame -andvmeans operativelyrconnectinglsaidzmeansiandeaid-spring 12 for.applyingforcetothe endbf .the spring within saidjhousingrduringlan opening movement of the door toeenergize .the spring. and thereby .provide a force tending .to returnlthe door .to closed position.

522M111 a railwayigondola car having an underframe and a floor supportedthereby, the con bination with a pivlotedrdrq enddoor adapted-to be selectively disposeddnlclosed upright position or .iniopen substantially horizontal position overlapping the floor, .of ..a ,member connected to 1 and movable with .said door and having a portion disposed below the level of the floor, and spring means located beneath .the floor adapted to be energized .by movement of :said member during opening movement of the door to provide a force tending to return theidoor =to-iclosed position, said spring means including a helical spring, an abutment .for one .endgof the spring rigid 'with 'the underframe, means afiording a ,housing for the opposite .endof the spring rigid Withthe underfrarne, and-meansiconnected to said member-and cooperable with the eend of -the spring within :the housing upon 1 an opening-movement of the door for energizing .the 1 spring.

23. In (a railway gondola-car having an under-- frame. and a fioors lpportedthereby,i he coinbina tion with a ,pivoted dropfend door adapted to be selectively disposed in aclosed upright position or :inopen substantially horizontal position overlapping ,the .-floor,of a :member connected to the door and extendingsdownwardly(therefrom to a pointbeneath the ii oor ,:a-comp es sien sprin 1 cated beneath :the floorL-fi-xed with respect to the underfrarne, and means pivotallyi-connecti-ng:said member and saidlcornpressionspring so :thatzan openin movement of the 'door will energize :the springto provide azforce tendin to return it to closed gposition, .said means including an adjustable plate-.likeilink having a pin receiving aperture adjacent one end:and a plurality of additional-5pm receivingza-perturesarranged in a path eccentric "with respect :to the .first named openmg.

.24. in,arailwayigondolarcar having an underirarne and a fiooreupportedthereby, the com-- bination with :a pivoteiiadrop .end door adapted to be selectivelyzdisposefl in closed upright position for in ;open substantially horizontal positionoverlapping :theilfioor, pf; a members connected to and movable with the door and extending downwardly therefrom ;to a :point beneath the level :of the floor, spring means located beneath the floor adapted to exert a force tending to move theidoorjrom'openito closed position, and means ;piv.o.ta1ly iconnected to :said member and movable zinto operative engagement with said springrmeanszduringan opening movement of the door :for energizing rt'he spring :means, said pivotally .conirecftedunicansfbeing. operatively engage able with-said springmeansduring opening movementzof the :doorxonly aftersa'id door'has been moved-a predetermined distance from its normal closed position.

125. TIIIELIBJIWEY gondola car having an underframe and a Zfl'oorisupported thereby, the co1nbination ,with :a pivoted :drop end door adapted to :be selectively! disposed in closed upright position or :.in open substantially horizontal position overlappingthe floor, of a memberattached to andnnovable with the door extending downwardly therefrom to a point beneath the floor, a substantially.uprighhhelical spring disposed beneath the.fioor,:n1eans ifixed-with respect to the underframe LfOI' supporting :said spring, and means operatively connecting said member and spring for energizing the spring during an opening movement of the door to provide a force tending to return the door to closed position.

26. In a railway gondola car having an underframe and a floor supported thereby, the combination with a pivoted drop end door adapted to be selectively disposed in closed upright position or in open substantially horizontal position overlapping the floor, of members pivotally connected to the door and extending downwardly therefrom through openings in the floor, and sprin means fixed with respect to the underframe cooperatively engageable with said members during openin movement of the door whereby the spring means are compressed to provide a force tending to return the door to closed position.

27. In a railway gondola car having an underframe and a floor supported thereby, the combination with a pivoted drop end door adapted to be selectively disposed in closed upright position or in open substantially horizontal position overlapping the floor, of a substantially upright helical spring located beneath the floor, said floor being provided with an opening above the spring and means pivotally connected to said door and extending downwardly through said opening for cooperating with said spring for compressing it during opening movement of the door whereby the spring is energized to provide a force tending to return the door to closed position, said means including an elongated portion extending downwardly within the helical spring for preventing substantial lateral movement thereof.

28. In a railway gondola car having an underframe and a floor supported thereby, the combination with a pivoted drop end door adapted to be selectively disposed in closed upright position or in open substantially horizontal position overlapping the floor, of a substantially upright helical spring located beneath the floor, a bracket rigid with the underframe and having a portion affording a support for the spring, and means pivotally connected to said door extending downwardly therefrom through an opening in the floor cooperable with the spring for compressing it during opening movement thereof so that it will be energized to provide a force tending to return the door to closed position, said means including an elongated member extending downwardly within said spring and through an opening in said bracket in substantial alignment with the longitudinal axis of the spring.

29. In a railway gondola car having a drop end door, brackets rigid with the door adjacent the lower corners thereof respectively having laterally projecting portions affording hinge pintles for the door, brackets secured to the side walls of the car for receiving said pintles, members pivotally connected to the brackets secured to the door and extending downwardly therefrom through openings in the car floor, and spring means located beneath the floor respectively engageable by said members so as to be energized thereby during opening movement of the door to provide a force tending to return the door to closed position.

30. In a railway gondola car having a drop end door, brackets secured to the lower corners of the door having laterally extending portions affording hinge pintles for the door, brackets on the car sides respectively having recesses for receiving said pintles, and spring means positioned below the floor of the car connected to said door and energized upon opening of the door, said spring means tending to force the door toward closed position when it is in open position, said brackets secured to the car sides having means adapted to prevent the pintles disposed therein from being forced out of cooperative relation therewith by said spring means.

31. In a railway gondola car having a drop end door, brackets secured to the lower corners of the door having laterally extendin portions affording hinge pintles for the door, brackets on the car sides respectively having recesses for receiving said pintles, and spring means positioned below the floor of the car connected to said door and energized upon opening of the door, said spring means tending to force the door toward closed position when it is in open position, each of the said brackets secured to the car sides having inclined walls definin the said pintle receiving recess thereof, and means removably secured between said inclined walls above the cooperating pintle for retaining the pintle Within the recess.

32. In a railway gondola car having a drop end door, brackets secured to the lower corners of the door having laterally extending portions afiording hinge pintles for the door, brackets on the car sides respectively having recesses for receiving said pintles, and spring means positioned below the floor of the car connected to said door and energized upon opening of the door, said spring means tending to force the door toward closed position when it is in open position, each of the said brackets secured to the car sides having a pair of laterally spaced walls defining the said pintle receiving recess thereof, said walls being connected at their lower ends and inclining upwardly in a direction away from the adjacent end of the car, and removable means adapted. to be positioned within said recess above the pintle receivable therein.

ORVILLE INGRAM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 581,664 Martin et al Apr. 27, 1897 709,193 Barson Sept. 16, 1902 2,061,318 Gilpin Nov. 17, 1936 2,151,335 Rush Mar. 21, 1939 2,167,427 Tatum July 25, 1939 2,306,815 Kooyman Dec. 29, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 22,721 Great Britain 1897 (Accepted Oct. 1, 1898) 457,500 Great Britain Nov. 30, 1936 740,753 France Nov. 21, 1932 

